Flexible data input device

• US 6,585,162 B2
• Filed: 11/29/2001
• Issued: 07/01/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/18/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Wearable Technologies Ltd. (Blackline Safety Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Electrotextiles Company Limited (Peratech Limited)
• Inventors: Walkington, Stuart Mark, Chapman, Christopher, Sandbach, David Lee
• Primary Examiner(s): Pitts, Harold I.
• Application Number:
  US09/980,297
• Publication Number:
  US 20020134828A1
• Time in Patent Office: 579 Days
• Field of Search: 235/462.43, 235/462.44
• US Class Current: 235/462.44
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0221 Arrangements for reducing keyboard size for transport or storage, e.g. foldable keyboards, keyboards with collapsible keys G06F3/0216 takes precedence; for keyboards integrated in a laptop computer G06F1/1666
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/702 with contacts carried by or formed from layers in a multilayer structure, e.g. membrane switches
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2203/0085 Layered switches integrated into garment, clothes or textile
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2203/01 Woven wire screen
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2223/052 reductible in size, e.g. for transportation

Abstract

The present invention relates to a data input device suitable for inputting data to electronic processing means. The data input device is configured to produce an output in response to a mechanical interaction and may be reconfigured into two operational configurations. In a first flexible configuration the device may be bent or flexed about a first axis, and in a second rigid configuration the data input device is substantially rigid such that bending or flexing of the device about the first axis is inhibited.

Claims

1. A data input device suitable for inputting data to electronic processing means and configured to produce an output in response to a mechanical interaction, wherein

said data input device comprises a rigidising support layer, such that said data input device is configurable between a rigid configuration in which said support layer provides a curvature that inhibits bending or flexing of said device about a first axis and

a flexible configuration in which said curvature is removed such that said device may be bent or flexed about said first axis.

2. A data input device according to claim 1, wherein the maximum beam thickness of said data input device is greater in said rigid configuration than in said flexible configuration.

3. A data input device according to claim 1, wherein, in said flexible configuration said device may be reconfigured from an operational configuration in which said electronic processing means is displaced from said keyboard to a wrapped up configuration in which said device is bent about a first and second axis about said electronic processing means.

4. A data input device according to claim 3, wherein said first and second axis are parallel.

5. A data input device according to claim 1, wherein said rigidising support layer has an arched cross-sectional profile in said rigid configuration and has a substantially flat cross-sectional profile in said flexible configuration.

6. A data input device according to any preceding claim, wherein said device is reconfigured from said flexible configuration to said rigid configuration by a reconfiguration means.

7. A data input device according to claim 6, wherein said reconfiguration means is an under-surface layer of said device having a first portion and a second portion separated by a gap having a closure means, said closure means arranged to configure said device in the flexible configuration when said gap is open and to configure said device in the rigid configuration when said gap is closed.

8. A data input device according to claim 7, wherein said closure means is a zip fastener.

9. A data input device according to claim 1, wherein said rigidising support layer is a layer of semi-flexible material.

10. A data input device according to claim 1, wherein said rigidising support layer comprises a plurality of corrugations arranged parallel to said first axis.

11. A data input device according to claim 10, wherein, in said flexible configuration, said corrugations facilitate bending of said rigidising support layer about said first axis.

12. A data input device according to claim 1, wherein said rigidising support layer comprises a plurality of semi-flexible support rods arranged substantially parallel to said first axis;

and said rods are bound together by a plurality of intertwined fabric fibres.

13. A data input device according to claim 12, wherein said support rods have a greater cross-sectional diameter than said fabric fibres.

14. A data input device according to claim 12, wherein said fabric fibres are multi-filament polyester yarns.

15. A data input device according to claim 12, wherein, in said rigid configuration, said support rods have a substantially arched configuration and, in said flexible configuration, said support rods have a substantially flat configuration.

16. A data input device according to claim 1, wherein said rigidising support layer comprises a plurality of support portions.

17. A data input device according to claim 16, wherein, in said rigid configuration, each of said support portions has an arched cross-sectional profile and in said first flexible configuration, each of said support portions has a substantially flat cross-sectional profile.

18. A data input device according to claim 16, wherein said support portions are elongate lengths of sprung steel.

19. A data in put device according to claim 16, wherein said support portions extend substantially perpendicular to said first axis.

20. A data input device according to claim 16, wherein said support portions are mounted onto a fabric layer.

21. A data input device according to claim 1, wherein said data input device is a games console.

22. A data input device according to claim 1, wherein said electronic processor is selected from the group comprising a hand-held electronic processor and a mobile phone.

23. A data input device according to claim 1, wherein the maximum beam thickness of said rigidising support layer is greater in said rigid configuration than in said flexible configuration.